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Happy Hearts

 happy_hearts_fund_pic_petra_nemcova

Today, I was part of an upcoming 10 year anniversary photo shoot for The Spiritual Care Guild. Not by coincidence, my sister sent along info on another non-profit that is also celebrating its 10 year anniversary, The Happy Hearts Fund. While, its founder is a Sports Illustrated swim-suit model, who is no stranger to photo shoots….she is someone who took her tragedy and made something so inspirational… that I had to share.

Her name is Petra Nemcova and she was in Thailand when the Indian Ocean Tsunami struck on December 26, 2004. After recovering from her injuries, she returned to Thailand to see how to be of the best help. When she witnessed families without homes, children without parents, and entire communities swept away, she knew she had to act. Petra was most affected by the children who were not getting any help five months after the disaster.

So in 2005 Petra  was determined to restore hope and opportunity to the children affected by the Tsunami with a vision to rebuild schools and children’s’ lives following natural disasters. It was the first time she experienced the “gap period” which occurs after first response and before governments step in after a natural disaster. For this reason Happy Hearts Fund concentrated its mission in the gap period by building “Happy Self Sustaining Schools.”

 

Happy Hearts Fund was structured so all administrative costs would be underwritten, thereby ensuring 100 percent of all donations received would be directed to children’s programming. Since inception, Happy Hearts Fund has worked in a total of 14 countries and is currently active in six countries including Thailand, Indonesia, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Haiti. They have built or re-built 85 schools and kindergartens. Since their inception The Happy Hearts Fund has benefited more than 46,000 children and 490,000 community members.

Now, that is something that makes this heart very happy!

Charity Matters.

 

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Credit Do

 

Credit Do Chris

I sometimes wonder if being amazing is a genetic thing? Have you ever noticed that exceptional people sometimes come from the same family? That is definitely the case with non-profit founder, Chris Avila Hubschmann. I say this only because I have met a few of her amazing siblings, all of which make our world better. Genetics or not Chris is an inspiration.

Chris comes a great family of hard-working Texans. She had her first job in 7th grade and never looked back. A few financial bumps between college and her career as a business manager for The History Channel, reshaped the direction of her life and inspired her to start an incredible non-profit called Credit Do.

Chris got her first credit card the beginning of freshman year of college, to use for textbooks. However, she didn’t really understand how credit worked and learned her lesson the hard way. As a result, she was determined  to “redefine what credit means and was concerned that our society is addicted to a broken credit system.” After researching micro-loan programs, she had an epiphany: what if our credit was representative of what we do—in other words, what we’ve earned—and based on our merit?

In essence, Chris wanted to provide a financial education and credit in exchange for social productivity for middle school students.

That is exactly what she did in 2010. Credit Do partnered with financial literacy organizations to teach the basics of managing money starting in a low-income school in New York City. They then encouraged and empowered these children to work for what they need through partnerships that Credit Do had established. Once the students learned the value of work for credit, they receive a savings account to continue their financial growth.

As Chris told me, “the journey for me was about measuring my time via my worth.” She has taken that philosophy directly to her organization. Credit Do is rooted in the belief that credit is not only a measure of someone’s financial worth, but more importantly, their positive contributions to the community and making financial independence a reality for all.

Like I said, genetics or not Chris Avila Hubschmann has taken her life lessons and turned them into a lessons for all. Pure inspiration.

Charity Matters.

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Lacrosse making a difference

harlem lacrosseToday I am heading to a lacrosse match in support of my youngest son. They say lacrosse is the fastest growing sport in America and if you have ever been to one of these tournaments you would believe it. Well, like most everything our family is involved with, I like to find a philanthropic twist to things that my children are interested in. I love to see how people combine their passion to improve lives. In my search I came across this wonderful group in Harlem called HarlemLacrosse.org.

Harlem and lacrosse sound like an unusual combination, until you take a look at how providing a few sticks, training and a little round ball can transform lives.

 

I am surprised when people say they want to get involved with something but really don’t know how to start. My advice is find something you love and start there. Changing lives and making someone else’s life better really begins with where your passion lies. What is it that you love to do?

I know that once you answer that question you will know the next step from there….for my son this just might be that step.

Charity Matters.

 

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Charity Matters Inspiration

The Miracles of Christmas: Matthew’s Hope

Matthews HopeIn searching for a Christmas miracle story to share with you, I came across an incredible family and am blessed that when I reached out to them, they agreed to let me share their story. It began in November 2002 when Bud Hanley began writing letters to his unborn son, Matthew. This is his letter.

 

My little Matthew,

 

Good morning, my sweet baby boy. We miss you so much and wish God had allowed you to be with us. Your short life has changed ours and has impacted hundreds of others. We started a non-profit organization in your memory called Matthew’s Hope Children’s Ministry to help other children in our community. I could write a book sharing the many miracles that have taken place through Matthew’s Hope, but I’ll just share this one for now . . .

 

When Mommy was pregnant with you in the fall of 2002, we decided to pick out a needy family and buy Christmas gifts for them on our own. Our church and Sunday school class had done this and we always participated in that, but never had we done it ourselves . . . Our local schools send home an information sheet to the kids who are in need and the families fill it out with requests and sizes . . . Me and Mommy looked through the sheets of paper and one stood out to us.

 

It was a 12- year-old boy with a two-year-old nephew. They lived in a pretty bad home situation. The older boy, Chris Bagwell, returned his sheet to school and asked for socks and underwear and “if possible” a football. He asked for the same for his little two-year- old nephew and “if possible” a fire truck. That broke our hearts and impressed us that a 12- year-old would ask for such minimal and basic needs . . .

 

We loaded those boys down with everything from new jeans, shirts, shoes and coats to bicycles and footballs and fire trucks…and yes socks and underwear. Mommy went and bought the stuff the day before Thanksgiving and came home that night and we wrapped it all up with your big sister “helping” us. She was two years old at the time . . .

 

Then our nightmare began. The day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 30, 2002, your Mommy’s water broke and our ordeal began. You were born and died on December 18th. We flew home and buried you on December 21st. That night, we went and delivered those gifts to Chris and his little nephew.

 

I can’t begin to describe how happy and grateful that little boy was. He had never had such things before. It helped us so much to see the gratitude in his face and his words. He helped us as much as we helped him; he just didn’t realize it. He was so proud of what we had given him.

 

Well, several years passed and we often wondered what happened to Chris because he had impressed us so much. He even worked with his uncle to help bring in some money for his family.

 

We later started Matthew’s Hope and have helped many similar families since then. In the Spring of 2008, two women from Belton-Honea Path High School approached me and asked if we would like to provide a scholarship from Matthew’s Hope. We decided that would be a good idea and instructed them that our criteria would not be necessarily the straight “A” student, but rather a kid who had overcome bad circumstances and did well anyway.

 

They brought us several essays that students had written about why they deserved a scholarship and we chose one that seemed to stand out to us. The scholarships are given every year at a ceremony at Erskine College called the Evening of Excellence. Mommy and me went that evening and presented the scholarship to the recipient after briefly sharing a little about Matthew’s Hope and why we were doing it. It was a nice evening and we went home. We had just walked in the door when the telephone rang. Mommy answered the phone and all of a sudden the color drained from her face and she put it on speaker phone.

 

It was the young man to whom we had just given the scholarship.

 

He said, “This is Chris—you don’t remember me do you? But when I was 12 years old, you and your husband brought Christmas gifts to me and my nephew.”

 

Matthew, when he said that, I thought I was going to pass out . . . He went on to tell us that when we brought those gifts at age 12, he realized for the first time in his life that somebody loved him.

You see how God works? . . .

Love,

Daddy

One of Bud’s last letters to his son.

Dear Matthew,

My son, you touched so many lives and you will continue to touch lives. As long as I live, I will tell of the miracles I personally witnessed . . . I will make you these promises . . I will work tirelessly to cause good to come from your life. I will tell the world about you to motivate people to help others in your memory. I will let your life be my testimony and I will share it with as many people as God gives me the opportunity . . .

   I will one day meet you in heaven. Until then, I will continue to live because I know you live . . . I know that your Papas and Grannys in heaven will take care of you . . . Hang in there my, little man, Daddy will be home soon.

Daddy

When I reached out to the Hanleys this past weekend and asked permission to share, Bud said to me, “Coincidentally (or not) Wednesday, December 18th would have been Matthew’s 12th birthday.” A true Christmas miracle full of love, family, faith and giving.

Charity Matters.

 

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Christmas in the City

Christmas in the city

Can you hear the song playing now? “Ring a-ling, hear them sing, its Christmas Time in the City.”  I am always looking for inspiring people and stories that make our world better and this family has created a holiday classic even better than the song it is named after.

It all started 23 years ago, in 1989 ,when the Kennedy family from Boston (not sure if there is a relation) saw the excess that their children had on Christmas. These two amazing parents, Jake and Sparky, wondered how they were going to teach their children what the season was really all about? They simply wanted them to understand the spirit of Christmas, of kindness, goodwill and the gift of sharing. Their solution was to take the holiday tradition that they had with their family and bring it to others, that didn’t.

So the following year, the Kennedy’s expanded their Christmas tradition with the help of their friends, co-workers, and clients all volunteering their time and donating gifts and money to provide Christmas for those that didn’t have one. In that moment, Christmas in the City was born.  The first year 165 mothers and children from Boston Homeless Shelters were guests at a party at Boston City Hall, with holiday decorations, games, a holiday meal and a gift for each child that the child had asked Santa to deliver.

In the two decades since, Christmas in the City  hosts over 3,000 children and parents from homeless shelters from Boston and surrounding communities.  More than replicating the Kennedy’s Christmas morning, these children now experience a safe environment, filled with food, entertainment, a Winter Wonderland with games, rides, a petting zoo, activities from the Museum of Science and the Children’s Museum, and each child received a personalized gift from Santa which they had wished for.

As if that wasn’t enough, Christmas in the City also distributes toys and gifts to almost 2000 families who can not be accommodated at the event.

The Kennedy’s small gesture to share the joy of the season has now become a year round affair because Christmas in the City simply could not turn away those they have cared for.  In addition, they now provide a Thanksgiving food distribution for families in need; an Adopt- a-Family program to assist families transitioning from a shelter to their own home; assisting homeless families in providing support to help find employment, financial aid and legal advise, daycare and other help to get back on their feet.

What began as a way to teach the joy of the season to their own children has become a teaching moment for all of us blessed to witness the magic of Christmas happening all around us. Cue music….Ring a-ling, hear them sing, soon it will be Christmas day….

Charity Matters.

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Best Day

best day foundationWho doesn’t love a day at the beach or having the best day? We all do, there is simply nothing better. My youngest son loves to surf and anything to do with the ocean. However, what happens to children with disabilities? How can they share these simple joys and thrills? The challenge and excitement of a wave or doing something new and exciting.

That is exactly what two friends, outdoor enthusiast and entrepreneurs  from Northern California wanted to give children with disabilities, simply the best day they could provide.  Max Montgomery and Brooks Lambert had both volunteered at another organization called Ride A Wave and loved the experience of giving children with disabilities an opportunity to surf. However, being entrepreneurs they wanted to take the idea and expand it both in scope and location. So, in March 2008 they created the Best Day Ever Foundation.

 

Their goal is to enable children with special needs to build confidence through adventurous activities which stretch their limits, expand their true potential and reinforce their achievements. Best Day Foundation helps these children with special needs to build self-esteem through safe, fun, adventure activities like surfing, body boarding, kayaking, snow sports, and more.   For children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Blindness, Cancer, Spinal Cord Injuries, and other physical and developmental challenges these moments are transformational.

Today Best Day Foundation has expanded to NY, NJ, PA, CT , Northern and Southern CA and new chapters are opening all the time. Everybody loves the thrill of a fun summer day in the water and the challenge of doing something new.  However, it is people like Max and Brooks who take their talents and passion for the outdoors and make it a best day for everyone!

Charity Matters.

 

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100 cameras

One of the things I love the most is discovering how one idea, one thought, one picture can turn into positive change for thousands. That is exactly what this story is about……a simple idea and the power of a photograph.

In 2008, four girlfriends living in NYC  had an idea. What if they could give cameras to impoverished children all over the globe to document their lives through photography? Their plan was to then sell the children’s photos to raise funds and awareness that would go back into the children’s’ communities. 

Their belief was simply that a camera could be a tool for change.  By 2009, that little idea became the non-profit 100 cameras.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__lDxLyWX3Y&feature=plcp]

The girls began their first photography project in Sudan. They then held photography exhibit inside a tiny apartment on the Upper East Side. What started with 80 people attending an exhibit, to purchase the photographs taken by children in the Sudan, has morphed into events across the country and projects helping children around the globe.

100 cameras allows us to see the world through the perspective of a child, through purchasing their photos or sponsoring a “child photographer.” When these young photographers are taught how to capture and tell their story, they develop a better view of themselves and the opportunity to share and record their story.

Ansel Adams said, “You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” I would say the same goes for these four girlfriends and founders, they didn’t just take an idea and a photograph, they made it….. into something powerful for thousands all over the world.

Charity Matters.

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CASA Poem

This is a bit of a follow up from Wednesday’s post about the incredible organization, CASA that has provided volunteers to stay with a children of abuse and neglect through the chaos of the court system and foster care.

A volunteer who worked with CASA wrote this about her time with one of these children and I thought it was so lovely it was worth sharing with you all.

The Advocate

This is not about
Rescue, so as to feel good
When the child lights up with a smile. This is not about
the comfort of compassion.
This is hard work,
Struggling with ripped families
And children in clouds of pain,
anger dancing round in their hearts in the turmoil of a world
made crazy. This is caring,
yes, but also what is just,
what should be demanded.
It takes love
And a certain measure of courage. And in the simple act
Of person helping person,
It becomes extraordinary.

Mercedes Lawry

Another reminder that kindness to one another is the greatest gift.

Charity Matters

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CASA

I recently had a friend ask me what was my favorite charity that involved child abuse? Somewhat of an oxy moron, I think. Truth be told I didn’t have a “favorite” but of all the amazing organizations that do so much to protect children, this one truly spoke to me. That organization was CASA which is not a home but an organization that’s goal is to provide a good one for the half million children currently stuck in our court systems due to child abuse or neglect.

When we hear about cases of child abuse and neglect I think we often assume that the court system more or less has it handled, sadly that wasn’t always the case. In 1977, there was one judge, David Soukup, that simply couldn’t sleep at night worrying about all the children that came through his court and were often “lost in the system” for months at a time.

In 1977, he asked his bailiff to see if he could gather a few volunteers, that they might be able to train to follow these children through the court system and guide them through a very scary time. Judge Soukup was shocked when 50 people arrived at his first meeting and shortly thereafter, CASA was formed. CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and these volunteers truly become advocates for abused and neglected children.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzGXyzP_CBw&feature=relmfu]

In 1994 CASA went national and was in every state in the country. Judge Souklup retired from the bench and became a CASA volunteer himself and said he ended up right where he started up at 4am worrying about his “kids.” Because of people like Judge Soukup today over 2 million children have been served by Court Appointed Special Advocates.  One person can make a difference.

Charity Matters.

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Camp Erin

Summer time is fleeing all too quickly and I think many of us are clinging to these last precious weeks. I shipped my youngest off to Boy Scout camp last week and am now anxiously awaiting his return. There are so many camps doing such amazing things for children but when I heard about Camp Erin it really struck a chord with me.

Camp Erin is a weekend camp that specializes in bereavement for children. Its was founded by Jamie and Karen Moyer in 2002 in honor of 17-year-old girl named Erin Metcalf, who the Moyers met thru the Make A Wish Foundation. It was Erin’s concern for other children and their siblings that touched the Moyer Family.

When Erin died in 2000, the Moyers felt that a camp for grieving children would be the perfect tribute. In 2002 the first Camp Erin was formed.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KqOk52FpS-Q]

Grief is overwhelming at any age and can swallow you up but the pain and confusion a child feels with such enormous loss is unimaginable.  The Moyer family and their foundation has made it their mission to help children in distress. Today there are 40 Camp Erin’s throughout the country, that are healing children’s hearts and  giving them the tools to go forward with their lives in a positive way.

Summer is a time for being carefree, enjoying the simple pleasures and there is no greater joy than a smile on a child’s face. Thanks to Camp Erin there will be a lot more smiles this summer.

Charity Matters.

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Summer is Camp Time

“To find the poor and needy, the underprivileged children, whose bodies are undernourished, whose thoughts are clouded by fear, whose hearts are heavy from lack of love and understanding . . . to find and rebuild them into healthier and happier generations of Americans.”

-Robert M. Pyles, Founder, R.M.

Its that time of year, when parents are digging out the luggage packing up the kids and sending them off to camp. Camp is that glorious break that children get from parents and visa versa. When everyone can take a deep breath and enjoy the peace of summertime.

Thanks to places like the RM Pyles Camp so can thousands of underprivileged teenage boys from all over Southern California.  These campers come from neighborhoods where gang life and drugs are a way of life. However, schools and law enforcement agencies select these special 12-14 year old campers who are often at a crossroads in deciding to join gangs or not.

Most of the camp’s staff is made up of past campers who also grew up in these same situations and share their journeys to inspire the new generation of 500 boys that show up to camp each year.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5188S0NxKpM]

All of this is because of one man, Robert M. Pyles. Pyles was a successful businessman whose life had not always been easy.  He was only 3 when his father abandoned his family in Texas. His family moved to Bakersfield and he began working in the oil fields to help support his family at age 11. Pyles had camped his entire life and when he out grew his camp he continued working there. Robert ultimately became a successful oil man and in 1949 wanted to pay forward the experience that turned his life around. So he founded the Robert M. Pyles Camp.

Today over 60 years later over 20,000 boys have spent free two week sessions in the Sequoia National Forrest learning to set goals and take responsibility. Robert Pyles believed that the camp and these values could help the boys lift themselves out of poverty.

As one camper said, “They teach you how to believe in yourself and that you have choices and that there is more to life than gangs.”

Camp matters. Charity Matters.

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Fresh Air Fund

When I heard the name of the Fresh Air Fund, I have to admit I was intrigued. Perhaps, living in Los Angeles has me somewhat skeptical of the concept of fresh air but when I learned what it was, I knew it was as good as it sounded.

It turns out its been around since 1877, who knew that kids needed to leave the city to get fresh air even then?  The story goes that in 1877, the Reverend Willard Parsons, who was a minister of a small rural parish in Sherman, Pennsylvania, asked members of his congregation to provide country vacations for children from New York City tenements.

This was the beginning of The Fresh Air Fund.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCowjihdJeA&feature=relmfu]

The concept remains the same today, taking underprivileged youth out of New York City and giving them traditional summer vacations. Last year, close to 9,000 New York City children experienced the joys of summertime and fresh air.

A little dose of mother nature, good old summertime fun and opening our hearts to others is a breath of fresh air for all. Charity Matters.

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Dream-Big!. Org

Don’t you just love it when one thing leads to the next? My friend, Mary Ann, would use the term synchronistic others perhaps happenstance but whatever you call it my pondering of dreaming big lead me to a real life dreamer, who did just that and her non-profit carries the same name, DreamBig.Org

This dreamers story began in 2009, when Linda Driscoll came across a grant requests, doing her day job at the Red Cross, for something so simple, it took her breath away.

“I remember the coach who was seeking funding for uniforms for her girl’s basketball team. I could not believe it when she told us that her girls’ team would play their games immediately following the boys’ games so that they could borrow the boys’ uniforms once they had finished playing.”

Sadly, these stories were not new to Linda who had heard for years about kids running track in Keds, children fighting obesity who couldn’t afford a fitness program and tons of school teams with out sports equipment.

In 2009, after a visit with her nieces and nephew the topic of sports, equipment and registration fees for the new season came up. Linda saw all of the old sports gear in the garage and wondered again about how many kids probably don’t participate because their families cannot afford the costs associated with sports and physical activity programs. That was her epiphany and she decided to create Dream Big!

Her dream is that all girls will have the equipment, program fees and supplies they need to participate in sports and physical activities that contribute to their overall health, fitness and well-being.

Linda’s dream is paying off today Dream Big! is incorporated in Massachusetts and is currently working with many schools, organizations, volunteers and businesses to get low-income and homeless girls the basic items needed to participate in sports, recreation and physical activities.

That’s a sweet dream. Charity Matters.

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Upward Bound House an alternative for homeless children

Did you happen to visit Peet’s Coffee on Christmas Eve?  If you did, you received a gift that truly spread the Christmas spirit. After ordering your drink (regardless of the size) the barista said,”Merry Christmas! Your drink is on the house. If you want to support Upward Bound House, we would be so grateful.”

What was Upward Bound House? I thought I would find out while waiting for my now donated latte. It turns out Upward Bound house is a non-profit that provides transitional housing to keep families together and off the streets.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u89vmBZcjsw]

Upward Bound House has a 95% success rate of getting families back on their feet and independently living on their own again. So, a little post holiday good will and cheer and a big hats off to Peet’s Coffee for showing us all that Charity Matters a latte!

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